Semi-final rout raises Australia's Ashes anxiety

Australian media lamented their team's "shellacking" by England in the Cricket World Cup semi-final Friday, warning it was an ominous harbinger for the upcoming Ashes series.

Hosts England humbled Australia to secure an eight-wicket win at Edgbaston and set up a decider on Sunday against tournament surprise package New Zealand at Lord's.

The Age's Jon Pierik said the five-time champions were "chastened" after a one-sided defeat, pointing to a string of injuries that disrupted Australia's momentum.

"Their campaign fell apart from the moment Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were hurt in a torrid net session in Manchester," he wrote.

"Two days later, (Usman) Khawaja strained a hamstring in the shock defeat to South Africa -- only their second loss of the tournament to that point."